The Akkadian empire and its art
The Akkadian empire was famous not only for its conquests of Iraqi-Mesopotamian territory but also for its art. The Akkadian arts are comparable to Sumerian art that came before them. Nonetheless, the Akkadian arts were notable not only for their form but also for the themes and media used.
Akkadian sculptures and their significance
The Akkadian art was mostly sculptures made of bronze and clay. The sculptured head of their king, most definitely Sargon, is one of the Akkad's most impressive works. This magnificent work of art, however, has been compromised over time, as seen by the damage to the ear and eyes. The Akkadian art had much influence on the then world.
Use of Akkadian art to assert power
These sculptures did not just mark the industrialization in the region with the beginning of the bronze era. They further used these works of art to remind their subjects of the sovereignty of their kings. The Akkadian due to the use of the Akkadian art in hailing the Kings and belittling their enemies, many of these artworks were stolen or destroyed by these enemies o leave just a few. These pieces of art including the stele of Naram-Sin depict the political and social turmoil faced in the region of Mesopotamia during these times (McMahon, pg. 660).
The artistic achievements of the Akkadian
Having united the warring city-states of the Sumer region, the Akkadian art worked mainly to communicate the sovereignty of the ruling empire. The art of the Akkadian further marked the summit of artistic achievements in the ancient world. These pieces of art expressed sensitive modelling that gave birth to the naturalism seen in most arts afterwards and the use of art to depict the interaction between the human world and the divine world (McMahon, pg. 653).
Work Cited
McMahon, Augusta. “The Akkadian Period: Empire, Environment, and Imagination.” A companion to the archaeology of the ancient Near East (2012): 647-667.
